How to Find Ohio Marriage Records

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Revision as of 16:20, 26 July 2013 by Murphynw (talk | contribs)

How To Find U.S. Marriage Records go to How To Find Ohio Marriage Records

Finding Ohio Marriage Records[edit | edit source]

  • Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and begin at the creation of the county
  • 1949 - county clerks began sending copies to the state

Next Step: When did the marriage occur? [edit | edit source]
Marriage Records
Choose a time period:


Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1949[edit | edit source]

  • Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and begin at the creation of the county

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for marriage information in other records.

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index[edit | edit source]

Marriage Indexes and Digital Images
Database Name - Index and Image Link or links to access database # of records
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1797-1954 On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years 184,092
Ancestry, Marriages, 1852-1914 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 230,792
If you do not locate the marriage in the above, try:
Database Name-Index Only Link or links to access database # of records
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1785-1979 On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years 1,532,533
Ancestry, Marriages, 1795-1850 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 7,970
Ancestry, Marriages, 1802-1850 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 72,640
Ancestry, Marriages, 1851-1900 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 307,737
Can't access Ancestry? Visit your local Family History Center or your local public library.
No marriage record for your ancestor?

Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive.
Search other records with marriage information.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Record[edit | edit source]

If you did not find your ancestor in the databases above, follow the instructions below:

PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage

  • If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the county clerk.
  • If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.

PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records

  • Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the county clerk.

OR

  • View a copy of a marriage record on microfilm at a Family Search Center:

Some images of county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.

  • Search the FHLC by county.
  • Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
  • For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local FamilySearch Center.
Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1949 to Present[edit | edit source]

Online marriage indexes are incomplete for the years 1949 to the present.

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index[edit | edit source]

Marriage Indexes
Database Name-Index Only Link or links to access database # of records
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1785-1979 On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years 1,532,533
RootsWeb, Marriages, 1973-2000 On RootsWeb; free 1,213,864
Ancestry, Marriages, 1973-1999 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 2,342,097
Univ. of KY, Marriages, 1973-1993 On University of Kentucky website; free; date is given in a code: MM/DD/YY Undisclosed

STEP TWO: Obtain the Record[edit | edit source]

PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage

PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records

  • A copy of a marriage record may be ordered for a fee from the county clerk.

OR

To Order Marriage Certificates
From County where Marriage occurred Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics
Pros Cons Pros Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state County websites can be more difficult to use Expedited service on VitalChek May be more expensive than ordering from the county
Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]

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